Electrical docking station

ABSTRACT

Systems and apparatuses for access-controlled electrical docking stations that automatically switch power to an electrical system between generator power and utility power are disclosed herein. An illustrative electrical docking station can include a cabinet that houses a circuit breaker, a generator interface to connect generators to the electrical docking station, an Automatic Transfer Switch, and a power supply. The power supply can supply converted DC power and protection to different accessories for the electrical docking station including an alarm, a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism can be configured to lock a door to the generator connectors in a closed position when the ATS is energized by a generator and to not lock the door when the door is in an open position. In some such circumstances, the alarm can shine green or provide an audible alarm and shine red respectively.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/698,667, filed on Nov. 27, 2019, which claims priority toU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/773,556, filed Nov. 30, 2018,the entire contents of both of which are incorporated herein byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to the field of electrical technologyand, more particularly, to devices, systems, and methods for switchingan electrical system between generator power and utility power.

BACKGROUND

Disconnecting an electrical connector from an electrical docking stationwhile the electrical docking station is energized, either accidentallyor purposefully, may create dangerous arcing between the electricalconnector and the connector receptacle. Such arcing can short out anelectrical system, electrocute an operator, or cause an explosion.Traditionally, electrical docking stations were only required to postsigns warning a user to make sure the electrical docking station is notenergized when disconnecting generator connectors from the electricaldocking station. Further, traditional electrical docking stations placethe utility wires behind the generator connectors. This leads tocomplicated access to utility wires in the electrical docking stationand unnecessarily deep electrical docking stations that require extraequipment (e.g., legs) to remain stable when mounted on a wall of abuilding. Examples of electrical docking stations include generatordocking stations, output panels/docking stations, company switches, loadbank docking stations, house panels, temporary connection cabinets, dualbreaker docking stations, generator connection cabinets, generator rollup boxes (GRUBs), and generator tap boxes.

SUMMARY

Exemplary embodiments are described herein for safely switching anelectrical system between generator power and utility power. Variousembodiments described herein can provide a safe, reliable, andaccessible electrical docking station by incorporating access-controlledcompartments with convenient access points and the ability toaccommodate several different pieces of hardware in a compact space. Anillustrative electrical docking station may be a cabinet with amiddle/main section, an upper section above the main section, and alower section beneath the main section. One or more covers can conceal acabinet interior at respective sections of the cabinet. The utilitypower and generator power connectors and wires can be positioned side byside along the width of the cabinet at the lower section of the cabinet.

The cabinet can house hardware including a circuit breaker forregulating utility power to the electrical docking station, a generatorinterface to connect permanent and/or portable generators to theelectrical docking station, an Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS), and apower supply. The power supply can supply converted DC power to varioushardware in the electrical docking station, including an alarm and alocking mechanism, as well as protect various hardware from overcurrent.The locking mechanism can be configured to lock a hinged lower door whenin a closed position while the ATS is energized by a generator. In suchcircumstances, the alarm can shine a confirmation color (e.g., green).The locking mechanism can be configured to not lock the hinged lowerdoor when the hinged lower door is in an open position. In suchcircumstances, if the ATS is energized by a generator, the alarm canprovide an audible alarm and/or shine a warning color (e.g., red).

In one aspect, an electrical docking station can include a cabinet, agenerator interface, a transfer switch, and an electro-mechanicallocking mechanism. The cabinet may include a generator connectioncompartment and a utility connection compartment. The generatorconnection compartment can include a door movable between an openposition and a closed position. The utility connection compartment maybe configured to house utility wires. The generator interface may behoused in the generator connection compartment and configured to beelectrically connected to a generator. The transfer switch can be housedin the cabinet and electrically connected to the generator interface. Inmany instances, the transfer switch is configured to be electricallyconnected to the utility wires and to a building electrical system. Thetransfer switch can be configured to switch between electricallyconnecting the building electrical system to the generator interface andelectrically connecting the building electrical system to the utilitywires. The electro-mechanical locking mechanism can be electricallyconnected to the generator interface. The electro-mechanical lockingmechanism can be configured to lock the door to the generator connectioncompartment if the building electrical system and the generatorinterface are electrically connected through the transfer switch and thedoor is in the closed position.

In different examples, components of the electrical docking station canhave a variety of attributes. The generator connection compartment andthe utility connection compartment can be positioned side by side in thecabinet. In some examples, the cabinet may include a main section and alower section. In such examples, the main section can house the transferswitch. In such examples, the generator connection compartment and theutility connection compartment can be in the lower section. In someexamples, the generator interface can include one or more connectionreceptacles, with each connection receptacle being configured to receivea connector and cable from the generator. In such examples, thegenerator connection compartment can include a bottom surface with oneor more cable slots, with each cable slot having a width that allows thecable to pass through the cable slot but prevents the connector frompassing through the cable slot. The generator interface may bepositioned at an angle that is non-perpendicular with a back side of thecabinet. In some examples, the cabinet includes a riser connected to aninterior surface of the cabinet. In such examples, the riser may beadjustable relative to the interior surface of the cabinet toaccommodate hardware of various sizes.

In different examples, the electrical docking station may includeadditional components. In some examples, the electrical docking stationmay include a power supply electrically connected between the generatorinterface and the electro-mechanical locking mechanism. In suchexamples, the power supply may be configured to convert high-voltage ACinput power from the generator interface to DC output power and to sendconverted generator power to the electro-mechanical locking mechanism.In some examples, the electrical docking station may include an alarmconnected to the cabinet. In such examples, the alarm may be configuredto provide an alert (e.g., an audible signal, a visual signal, both anaudible signal and a visible signal, etc.) if the building electricalsystem and the generator interface are electrically connected throughthe transfer switch and the door to the generator connection compartmentis in the open position.

In some examples, a method can include various steps. The method mayinclude providing an electrical docking station (e.g., like thosediscussed herein). The electrical docking station can have a cabinetthat includes a generator connection compartment and a utilityconnection compartment. The generator connection compartment may includea door movable between an open position and a closed position. Theutility connection compartment can house utility wire. The electricaldocking station can have a generator interface that is housed in thegenerator connection compartment and that is electrically connected to agenerator. The electrical docking station can have a transfer switchhoused in the cabinet and electrically connected to the generatorinterface. The transfer switch may be electrically connected to theutility wires and to a building electrical system. The electricaldocking station can have an electro-mechanical locking mechanismelectrically connected to the generator interface. In some examples, theelectrical docking station may include a power supply electricallyconnected between the generator interface and the electro-mechanicallocking mechanism. In such examples, the power supply can converthigh-voltage AC input power from the generator interface to DC outputpower and send converted generator power to the electro-mechanicallocking mechanism. The method may include switching, with the transferswitch, (i) from electrically connecting the building electrical systemto the utility wires (ii) to electrically connecting the buildingelectrical system to the generator interface. In some examples, themethod includes switching, with the transfer switch, from a first state(e.g., electrically connecting the building electrical system to theutility wires) to a second state (e.g., electrically connecting thebuilding electrical system to the generator interface). The method mayinclude locking, with the electro-mechanical locking mechanism, the doorto the generator connection compartment when the building electricalsystem and the generator interface are electrically connected throughthe transfer switch and the door is in the closed position.

In different examples, the method may include additional steps. Themethod may include switching, with the transfer switch, (i) fromelectrically connecting the building electrical system to the generatorinterface (ii) to electrically connecting the building electrical systemto the utility wires. In some examples, the method includes switching,with the transfer switch, from one state (e.g., electrically connectingthe building electrical system to the generator interface) to anotherstate (e.g., electrically connecting the building electrical system tothe utility wires). The method may include unlocking, with theelectro-mechanical locking mechanism, the door to the generatorconnection compartment when the building electrical system and theutility wires are electrically connected through the transfer switch. Insome examples, the method may include switching, with the transferswitch, from the from electrically connecting the building electricalsystem to the utility wires to electrically connecting the buildingelectrical system to the generator interface automatically upondetection that now power is coming from the utility wires. In someexamples, the method may include automatically switching, with thetransfer switch, upon detection that power is coming from the utilitywires, (i) from electrically connecting the building electrical systemto the generator interface (ii) to electrically connecting the buildingelectrical system to the utility wires. The method may includeconnecting a load bank to the generator interface and applying anancillary load with the load bank. The method may include providing analert (e.g., an audible signal, a visual signal, or both) if thebuilding electrical system and the generator interface are electricallyconnected through the transfer switch and the door to the generatorconnection compartment is in the open position.

An electrical docking station with such features can provide a varietyof advantages over conventional electrical docking stations. Currentindustry standards require access doors to generator connectors to belockable. Cabinet embodiments discussed in this document will prompt theuser with the alarm to close the hinged lower door and automaticallylock the access door to the generator connectors when the access door isclosed. This eliminates the risk of accidental sparking or arcing, forinstance, if the connectors are disconnected while the generator isstill energizing the electrical docking station. Having hinged accessdoors prevents the need to remove and set down or pick up and installaccess panels. Contrary to front-to-back positioning, side-by-sidepositioning of the utility power and generator power connectors andwires allows easy access for setup, maintenance, and repair withoutgoing through wiring of one to reach the other that is behind it.Several other advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

The details of one or more examples are set forth in the accompanyingdrawings and the description below. Other features, objects, andadvantages will be apparent from the description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The following drawings are illustrative of particular embodiments of thepresent invention and therefore do not limit the scope of the invention.The drawings are intended for use in conjunction with the explanationsin the following description. Embodiments of the invention willhereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings,wherein like numerals denote like elements.

FIG. 1 is a schematic front elevational view of an illustrativeelectrical docking station mounted to the exterior wall of a buildingand connected to a generator, utility power, and the electrical systemof the building.

FIG. 2 is a partial, front elevational view of an illustrativeelectrical docking station mounted to the exterior wall of a building.

FIG. 3 is a partial, side elevational view of an illustrative electricaldocking station mounted to the exterior wall of a building.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an illustrative electrical dockingstation that is a cabinet.

FIG. 5 is a cutaway, front elevational view of an illustrative cabinetwithout the outer door, the upper section cover, the main section cover,or the lower section cover.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an illustrative adjustable riser.

FIG. 6B is a side elevational view of an illustrative adjustable riser.

FIG. 6C is a top elevational view of an illustrative adjustable riser.

FIG. 7 is a cutaway, front elevational view of an illustrative cabinetwithout the outer door.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational cross-section view of an illustrativecabinet.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an illustrative cabinet with the outerdoor open and the bottom access door ajar.

FIG. 10A is a perspective view of an illustrative generator interface.

FIG. 10B is a side elevational view of an illustrative generatorinterface.

FIG. 11A is a perspective view of an illustrative aperture cover and anupper section cover that is a hinged upper door.

FIG. 11B is a front elevational view of an upper section cover that is ahinged upper door with hardware mounted in the aperture.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a supervisory control and dataacquisition (SCADA) in a SCADA cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is exemplary in nature and providessome practical illustrations and examples. Those skilled in the art willrecognize that many of the noted examples have a variety of suitablealternatives. A number of various exemplary electrical docking stationsare disclosed herein using the description provided as follows inaddition to the accompanying drawings. Each of the embodiments disclosedherein can be employed independently or in combination with one or more(e.g., all) of the other embodiments disclosed herein.

An illustrative electrical docking station 100 as shown in FIG. 1 cansupply power to a building 10 even during a power outage. The electricaldocking station 100 can be wired into an electrical system of a building10, for example, from the exterior wall 15 of the building 10. Theelectrical docking station 100 can be connected to a utility power line20 and a generator 30. The generator 30 can be permanent or temporary.During normal operation, the electrical docking station 100 can outpututility power to the electrical system of the building 10. In the eventthat utility power is shut off (e.g., due to a power outage), theelectrical docking station 100 can output power from the generator 30 tothe electrical system of the building 10.

The electrical docking station 100 may provide easy access to componentsof the electrical docking station 100 and hardware 200 in the electricaldocking station 100 as shown in FIG. 2. The electrical docking station100 can be mounted at an exterior wall 15 of a building 10, e.g., usingfasteners positioned within the periphery of the electrical dockingstation 100, at a readily accessible height, “h,” from the ground. Theutility power input 210 can be positioned beside the generator powerinput 220 in a direction that is generally parallel with the exteriorwall 15 of the building 10 to provide easy access to wiring from eitherinput 210, 220. The hardware 200 and inputs 210, 220 can be accessiblefrom at least the front of the electrical docking station 100.

The electrical docking station 100 can minimize the depth, “d,” of theelectrical docking station 100 and, thus, the distance, “d,” theelectrical docking station 100 extends beyond the position of theexterior wall 15 as shown in FIG. 3. Less depth of the electricaldocking station 100 is required when the utility power input and thegenerator power are positioned side by side as described above insteadof front to back in the direction perpendicular to the outer wall. Othercomponents, including the hardware within the electrical docking station100, can be vertically disposed within the electrical docking station100. For example, operating hardware that facilitates switching betweenutility power and generator power can be located above the utility powerinput and generator power input. Monitoring and safety hardware can belocated above the operating hardware. Less depth of the electricaldocking station 100 is desirable to eliminate bulkiness of theelectrical docking station 100 and, e.g., the use of supportive legsrequired for electrical docking stations of greater depth.

In many embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4, the electrical docking stationcan be a cabinet 400. In some embodiments, the cabinet 400 may be madeof a metal material. The cabinet 400 can have a main section 405, alower section 407 located beneath the main section 405, and an uppersection 409 located above the main section 405. The cabinet 400 can havea back side 411 and a front side 413 opposing the back side 411. Thecabinet 400 can have a top 415, a bottom 417, and lateral sides 419extending between the front side 413 and the back side 411, togetherdefining a cabinet interior 402. The upper section 409 of the cabinet400 can include the cabinet top 415, and the lower section 407 of thecabinet 400 can include the cabinet bottom 417.

The cabinet 400 can include an outer door 420 flanking the upper section409, the main section 405, and the lower section 407 of the cabinet 400.When closed, the outer door 420 can conceal the upper section 409, themain section 405, and the lower section 407 of the cabinet 400. Whenopened, the outer door 420 can reveal the upper section 409, the mainsection 405, and the lower section 407 of the cabinet 400. In manyinstances, the outer door 420 can include an outer door tray 425attached to an inner surface 421 of the outer door 420, e.g., forstoring different mediums.

The cabinet 400 may house electrically connected hardware within thecabinet interior 402 as shown in FIG. 5. For example, hardware mayinclude a circuit breaker 510, an ATS 520, and a generator interface530, each mountable to the cabinet 400. The circuit breaker 510 can, asa safety measure, stop the flow of current from the utility power in theelectric circuit. An input side 513 of the circuit breaker 510 canreceive utility power from wiring fed through a conduit as furtherdiscussed below. The output side 515 of the circuit breaker 510 can sendutility power to a utility-power input 522 of the ATS 520. An input side533 of the generator interface 530 can receive power through wiring froma generator as further discussed below. An output side 535 of thegenerator interface 530 can send generator power to a generator-powerinput 524 of the ATS 520, which may be positioned in front or behind theutility-power input 522, and to a generator-power input 543 of the powersupply 540. A power-output side 526 of the ATS 520 can send eithergenerator power or utility power to an electrical load such as abuilding's electrical system.

In many embodiments, the cabinet 400 can efficiently support loadbanking for testing, servicing, or protecting the permanent or temporarygenerator. Instead of hardwiring the load bank into a building'selectrical system, an electrical docking station can include quickconnectors for connecting to the load bank and other equipment. Forinstance, a temporary generator can be connected to the input side 533of the generator interface 530, e.g., via male cam lock receptacles. Aload bank can be connected to the input side 533 of the generatorinterface 530, e.g., via female cam locks receptacles, to provide anancillary load on hardware in the cabinet 400. In many instances, theportable generator and/or the load bank can be simultaneously connectedto the electrical docking station. In these instances, an interlockingsystem (e.g., a kirk key system) may be used to transfer power betweenthe permanent and temporary generator. Once connected, the load bank cangradually apply an ancillary load (e.g., up to 50%, 70%, or 100% ofdesigned load capacity) on hardware in the cabinet 400.

Load banking can ensure safe and quality performance of each componentin the cabinet 400 by testing them under a known load condition.Although normal operation of the temporary generator operates at lessthan 100% of the designed load capacity, load banking can induce asubstantial load condition (e.g., 50%, 70%, or 100% of designed loadcapacity) on hardware in the cabinet 400 to ensure all components of thecabinet 400 are tested, especially those designed to be used athigh-load capacity. Load banking can introduce load conditions nottypically seen during normal operation to verify overall generatorperformance and help detect causes of failure such as coolant issues,radiator issues, and wet stacking. The cabinet 400 can include a loaddump 580 for use during load banking to protect a permanent generatorfrom overload while the permanent generator is supplying load to abuilding's electrical system during an actual utility power failure.

The ATS 520 in the cabinet 400 can send either high-voltage utilitypower or high-voltage generator power from the electrical dockingstation out to the building. The ATS 520 can be biased to send utilitypower to the building and switch either manually to generator power orautomatically to generator power in the event that utility power is notreceived at the ATS 520 while generator power is received at the ATS520. The ATS 520 can switch from outputting generator power tooutputting utility power once utility power is restored and received atthe ATS 520, in the event that generator power is not received at theATS 520, or if the ATS 520 is manually switched from generator power toutility power.

In many embodiments, the hardware may include a power supply 540, aSCADA control system 550, and/or an alarm 560. The power supply 540 canconvert high-voltage AC input power from the output of the generatorinterface 530 to DC current output (e.g., 5 A, 120 W, 480 VAC, 3-phasenominal input to an adjustable 24 VDC output). The converted-poweroutput side 545 of the power supply 540 can send converted generatorpower to certain hardware in the cabinet 400, e.g., the alarm 560 and alocking mechanism as further described below. The overcurrent protectionfor the power supply 540 can protect the power supply 540, the alarm560, a phase rotation meter, a monitor, etc. from overcurrent in someinstances.

The main section 405 of the cabinet 400 can house several pieces ofhardware within the cabinet 400. Many embodiments of the cabinet 400 mayhave the ATS 520, the circuit breaker 510, and the power supply 540 inthe main section 405 of the cabinet 400. These and other components canbe optimally positioned within the main section 405 of the cabinet 400(e.g., using an adjustable riser as further discussed below) tofacilitate access to hardware, accommodate cable bending radii, andfacilitate optimal performance, among other things.

The ATS 520 can be positioned in the main section 405 of the cabinet 400such that it can be readily accessible from an upper section cover inthe upper section 409 of the cabinet 400 and/or a main section cover inthe main section 405 of the cabinet 400 as described below. In someembodiments, as noted above, the utility-power input 522 may bepositioned coplanar and/or in front of or behind the generator-powerinput 524 of the ATS 520. The power-output side 526 of the ATS 520 maybe accessible from the upper section cover, and the utility-power input522 and the generator-power input 524 of the ATS 520 may be accessiblefrom the main section cover. In some embodiments, the ATS 520 may beaccessible from the lower section 407 of the cabinet 400.

An adjustable riser 570 shown in FIG. 5 may be included in the mainsection 405 of the cabinet 400 to position hardware within the mainsection 405 of the cabinet 400. The adjustable riser 570 can beadjustable relative to the interior surface 502 of the back side 411 ofthe cabinet 400 to accommodate hardware of various sizes. Though listedbelow in specific combinations, one skilled in the art can appreciatethat the circular fastening holes and the elongate fastening holes maybe reversed in some embodiments. Likewise, elongate holes can be formedin different directions to accommodate adjustments in any particulardirection.

The adjustable riser 570 seen in FIG. 6A can be connected to an interiorsurface of the back side of the cabinet. The adjustable riser 570 caninclude lateral flanges 612 connectible to the back side of the cabinetand an equipment seat 614 connected to the end of the lateral flanges612 that is distal from the back side of the cabinet. The equipment seat614 can support various types of hardware. Many embodiments may have thecircuit breaker supported by the adjustable riser 570 at the equipmentseat 614.

As shown in FIG. 6B, the adjustable riser 570 can be lowered (moved indirection, “L”) to accommodate taller hardware and raised (moved indirection, “R”) to accommodate shorter hardware. The equipment seat 614can have seat elongated fastening holes 615 aligning with flangecircular fastening holes 613 in the lateral flanges 612. The seatelongated fastening holes 615 may be elongated in the directionperpendicular to the back side of the cabinet. The equipment seat 614can be adjusted by positioning the seat elongated fastening holes 615 ata desired position over the flange circular fastening holes 613 andfastening the equipment seat 614 to the lateral flanges 612.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 6C, the adjustable riser 570 can be adjustedin the direction parallel to the width of the cabinet. In someembodiments, flange elongated fastening holes 617 may be at the end ofthe lateral flanges 612 that is proximal to the interior surface of theback side of the cabinet and the circular fastening holes may be in theback side of the cabinet. The lateral flanges 612 can be adjusted bypositioning the flange elongated fastening holes 617 at a desiredposition over the circular fastening holes and fastening the lateralflanges 612 to the back side of the cabinet.

The position of the hardware on the equipment seat 614 can be adjustedin the direction parallel to the height of the cabinet. In someembodiments, equipment elongated fastening holes 619 may be disposed inthe equipment seat 614 and the circular fastening holes may be in thehardware. The hardware can be adjusted by positioning the equipmentelongated fastening holes 619 at a desired position over the circularfastening holes and fastening the equipment seat 614 to the hardware.

As may be appreciated, the adjustable riser 570 may bring a portion ofthe hardware to an interface port in the main section cover as furtherdescribed below. In some such instances, a portion of the hardware, suchas a switch, can protrude through the main section cover for ease ofaccess. Thus, a user may readily interface with the hardware at thefront of the cabinet.

The main section 405 of the cabinet 400 can conceal several pieces ofhardware within the cabinet 400 as shown in FIG. 7. The main section 405of the cabinet 400 may include a main section cover 710. Many instancesof the main section cover 710 may be a hinged middle door 712. The mainsection cover 710 may, in some embodiments, include hinged middle doorsflanking both sides of the main section 405. The main section cover 710,in some instances, may include a hinged middle door 712 and a dead frontcover 714. In some embodiments, the dead front cover 714 is hingablyconnected to the main section 405 of the cabinet 400.

The main section cover 710 can include ports to access portions of thehardware housed in the main section 405 of the cabinet. For example, themain section cover 710 can include an interface port 715 for a userinterface 720. The interface 720 in some embodiments can be connected tothe ATS and either analog or digital. The interface 720 may displayinformation about the ATS and/or electrical docking station and controlmanual switching between generator power and utility power among otherfunctions of the ATS. In some instances, the main section cover 710 caninclude a circuit breaker port 717 to access a circuit breaker switch730 which, for example, can toggle between on, off, and trippedpositions.

The lower section 407 of the cabinet 400 can be beneath the middle 405section of the cabinet 400. The lower section 407 of the cabinet 400 mayinclude a generator connection compartment 740 and a utility connectioncompartment 750. As discussed above, the generator connectioncompartment 740 can be laterally positioned (e.g., side by side) withrespect to the utility connection compartment 750. In some embodiments,the generator connection compartment 740 and the utility connectioncompartment 750 may share a common side.

The generator connection compartment 740 can house the generatorinterface 530 as shown in FIG. 8. The generator connection compartment740 can include a front side 801, a back side 803, a bottom side 805,and lateral sides 807 extending between the front and back sides 801,803. The bottom side 805 of the generator connection compartment 740 canbe coincident with the bottom surface 417 of the cabinet 400.

A user can connect the generator to the electrical docking stationthrough the generator connection compartment 740. The generatorinterface 530 can be positioned near the top of the generator connectioncompartment 740. The generator interface 530 can be positioned tofacilitate connecting cables to the generator interface 530 and topromote connector safety.

Many embodiments may have the generator interface 530 positioned at anangle that is non-perpendicular with the back side 411 of the cabinet400. The generator interface 530 can include an upper surface 812 and alower surface 814 opposing the upper surface 812. In some instances, theupper surface 812 of the generator interface 530 can extend upward at anacute angle with the back side 411 of the cabinet 400. A generatorinterface 530 at such a position is easier to connect cable to from thefront side 413 of the cabinet 400 and can prevent accidental pullouts ofthe connectors if they are pulled straight down (e.g., during setup orby accident).

A bottom access door 910 as shown in FIG. 9 may be provided at thebottom surface 805 of the generator connection compartment 740 toconnect cables to the generator interface. The bottom access door 910can be hingably connected to the bottom surface 805 of the generatorconnection compartment 740. The bottom access door 910 may be hingednear the back side 411 of the cabinet 400 in some instances. As a safetyand theft prevention measure, the bottom access door 910 can beconfigured to open only after the outer door 420, hinged lower door 930,or both are opened.

The bottom surface 805 of the generator connection compartment 740 caninclude one or more cable slots 920 to accommodate cables in thegenerator connection compartment 740. The cable slots 920 can extend inthe direction perpendicular to the back side 411 of the cabinet 400. Thecable slots 920 can have a width sufficient to accommodate a wiringshroud surrounding a wiring bundle of generator connectors. In manyembodiments, the cable slots 920 can extend to the front of the bottomsurface 805 and not extend through the back of the bottom surface 805.Cables may pass through the cable slots 920 and connect to generatorinterface in the generator connection compartment 740. The cable slots920 may be narrow enough to prevent cable connectors from passingthrough.

The front side of the generator connection compartment 740 can include ahinged lower door 930. The hinged lower door 930 can be movable betweenan open position and closed position. When opened, the hinged lower door930 can reveal the generator interface. When closed, the hinged lowerdoor 930 can conceal the generator interface.

In operation, the cabinet 400 can include access control to thegenerator connectors when the generator is connected to the cabinet 400and energized. Some components of the cabinet 400 can control accessthrough an interlocking mechanism (e.g., a kirk key system). In someembodiments, a locking mechanism can be configured to latch shut thehinged lower door 930 when the hinged lower door 930 is in the closedposition. The locking mechanism can be configured to not latch shut thehinged lower door 930 when the hinged lower door 930 is in the openposition.

As can be appreciated, the access control of the generator connectioncompartment 740 may be suitable for a variety of applications. Anaccess-controlled compartment can be similar to those generatorconnection compartments 740 described elsewhere herein. Theaccess-controlled compartment can house a connector interface and caninclude a front side 801, a back side, a top side, a bottom side, andlateral sides extending between the front side 801 and back side. Theaccess-controlled compartment can include a bottom access door and ahinged front door similar to the bottom access door 910 and hinged lowerdoor 930 of the generator connection compartment 740 respectively. Analarm similar to the alarm 560 of the generator connection compartment740 may be included with the access-controlled compartment andconfigured to correspond to and alert a user of safe and/or unsafeconditions (e.g., if the hinged front door is improperly opened orclosed).

Such an access-controlled compartment may be used in applications whererestriction to components housed in the access-controlled compartment isdesirable. For instance, the access-controlled compartment can restrictaccess to one or more common connection points for one or moreelectrical devices to prevent undesired tampering or disconnection.Similarly, for the same reasons, the access-controlled compartment mayrestrict access to controls, meters, or other monitoring equipment. Insome instances, the access-controlled compartment can restrict access toonly certain authorized individuals.

Referring back to FIG. 8, in many embodiments, the locking mechanism 850may be an electro-mechanical locking mechanism 850. Theelectro-mechanical locking mechanism 850 can be a solenoid connected tothe power supply. The solenoid may be designed to lock when the hingedlower door is in the closed position and the generator is energized. Toincrease usability, the locking mechanism 850 may be configured to latcheven when mating components of the locking mechanism 850 are notperfectly aligned with each other when the hinged lower door is in theclosed position. An alarm may indicate whether the hinged lower door islocked or not as further described below.

The generator interface 530 can include a base 1010 and one or moreconnection receptacles 1020 as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B. Thereceptacles 1020 can be received in receptacle openings 1030 provided inthe base 1010 and attached to the base 1010 using receptacle fastenerholes 1032 positioned about the receptacle openings 1030 as shown inFIG. 10A. The receptacle openings 1030 can be large enough toaccommodate the receptacle without the receptacle passing through thereceptacle opening. The receptacles 1020 can receive connectors from thegenerator. In many instances, the receptacles 1020 may be cam lockreceptacles (e.g., either male or female cam lock receptacles). Thefront-side mount 1022 of the receptacles 1020 can be at the bottomsurface 1012 of base 1010 of the generator interface 530 and include aprotective cover 1026. The back-side mount 1024 of the receptacles 1020can be at the top surface 1014 of base 1010 the generator interface 530(e.g., such that the connections to the bus bar are facing towards themain section of the cabinet).

The generator interface 530 can include a retainer plate 1040 as shownin FIG. 10B. The retainer plate 1040 can fit over the receptacles 1020in the base 1010 of the generator interface 530. The retainer plate 1040can include retainer openings 1043 and retainer plate fastening holes1045. The retainer plate fastening holes 1045 may align with thereceptacle fastener holes 1032. The retainer plate fastening holes 1045can, in some embodiments, be threaded. In some such embodiments, athreaded fastener can enter a bottom-surface side of the receptaclefastener hole 1032 and protrude through the threaded retainer platefastening holes 1045 to sandwich the receptacles 1020 between the base1010 and the retainer plate 1040.

An insulating plate 1050 can protect the back-side mount 1024 of thereceptacles 1020 from creepage. For instance, the insulating plate 1050can be positioned between an exposed end of the fastener and theback-side mount 1024 of the receptacles 1020. The insulating plate 1050can have insulating plate holes 1053 corresponding to the position ofthe retainer openings 1043. The insulating plate holes 1053 can have anintegral attachment feature (e.g., the insulating plate 1050 having asnap-fit to the back-side mount 1024 of the receptacles 1020). In otherembodiments, the insulating plate 1050 may be otherwise separatelyattachable to components of the generator interface 530 or the generatorinterface 530 itself. In some embodiments, the insulating plate 1050 maybe made of a composite material such as an electrical grade,fiberglass-reinforced thermoset polyester resin.

Referring back to FIG. 9, utility power can enter the electrical dockingstation through the utility connection compartment 750. Many embodimentsof the utility connection compartment 750 can include a front side 952,a back side 954, a bottom side 956, and lateral sides 958 extendingbetween the front and back sides 952, 954. Wires can enter the utilityconnection compartment 750 through one or more access doors or panels.

The utility connection compartment 750 can have a removable bottomaccess panel 960. The bottom access panel 960 can be coincident with thebottom 417 of the cabinet 400. The bottom access panel 960 can beremoved to connect the circuit breaker to utility power, e.g., through aconduit extending at least to the bottom of the cabinet 400 with wiresextending upwards from the bottom 417 of the cabinet 400 to the circuitbreaker.

The utility connection compartment 750 can have a removable front accesspanel 970. The front access panel 970 can be removed, to reveal theutility connection compartment 750. For example, removing the frontaccess panel 970 can facilitate inspecting wires or other systemcomponents such as the locking mechanism in some embodiments. In thesame way, removing the front access panel 970 can facilitate making aconnection to the circuit breaker.

At least a portion of some hardware in the main section can beaccessible from the upper section of the cabinet through an uppersection cover 990. The upper section of the cabinet may be above themain section of the cabinet and include the upper section cover 990. Theupper section can be recessed in a front plane of the cabinet relativeto the main section of the cabinet 400.

In many instances, the upper section cover 990 may be a hinged upperdoor 1110 as shown in FIG. 11A. The hinged upper door 1110 may have afront surface 1112 and a back surface 1114. Wiring to componentsattached to the hinged upper door 1110 can be secured to the backsurface 1114 of the hinged upper door 1110 such that they do notinterfere with access when the hinged upper door 1110 is opened.

The upper section cover 990 may include one or more apertures 1120disposed in the upper section cover 990. In many instances, one or morepieces of hardware can be mounted to the upper section cover 990 in theapertures 1120 in the upper section cover 990. When no pieces ofhardware are mounted in the apertures 1120, in some instances, anaperture cover 1130 may connect to the upper section cover 990 toconceal the aperture 1120. The apertures 1120 may receive hardware suchas electrical sockets, connectors, computer components and systems,alarming devices (e.g., the alarm 560), electrical receptacles (e.g.,the SCADA 550), switches, and accompanying covers, etc.

The alarm 560 shown in FIG. 11B can be configured to indicate whetherthe lower hinged door is locked or not. In some instances, a user mayconnect generator cables to the generator interface and energize thegenerator before closing the lower hinged door. In such instances, thegenerator may provide power to the electrical docking station. Whengenerator power is being provided to the electrical docking station, butthe lower hinged door is not locked, the alarm 560 can provide anaudible signal or visual signal. In some examples, the alarm 560 canprovide both an audible signal and visual signal. The audible signal insome embodiments can be a high-pitched noise. The visual signal in someembodiments can be a particular color. In operation, if generator poweris being provided to the electrical docking station, but the hingedlower door is not locked, the alarm 560 can provide an audible signaland shine red. If, on the other hand, generator power is being providedto the electrical docking station, but the lower hinged door is locked,the alarm 560 may instead not provide an audible signal and shine green.

The generator can be connected to the SCADA 550 shown in FIG. 12 toprovide generator information to the user. For instance, the SCADA 550can be mounted to the hinged upper door enclosed in a SCADA cover 1210and wired to the electrical docking station through a wiring grommet1230. The SCADA cover 1210 can be a removed using a handling grommet1220 in a bottom of the SCADA cover 1210. A generator can beelectrically connected to the SCADA 550 by connecting a correspondingterminal of the generator to the SCADA 550. Generator information caninclude various parameters of the generator (e.g., fuel, oil pressure,run rate, etc.) monitored by the SCADA. The generator information can beoutputted to the user. The SCADA 550 may receive power from theabove-referenced power supply.

Various examples have been described with reference to certain disclosedembodiments. The embodiments are presented for purposes of illustrationand not limitation. One skilled in the art will appreciate that variouschanges, adaptations, and modifications can be made without departingfrom the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electrical docking station, comprising: (a) acabinet that includes a generator connection compartment and a utilityconnection compartment, the generator connection compartment including adoor movable between an open position and a closed position, the utilityconnection compartment being configured to house utility wires; (b) agenerator interface housed in the generator connection compartment andconfigured to be electrically connected to a generator and to a transferswitch, the transfer switch being electrically connected to the utilitywires and to a building electrical system, the transfer switch beingconfigured to switch between electrically connecting the buildingelectrical system to the generator interface and electrically connectingthe building electrical system to the utility wires; and (c) an alarmconnected to the cabinet and configured to provide an alert if thebuilding electrical system and the generator interface are electricallyconnected through the transfer switch and the door to the generatorconnection compartment is in the open position.
 2. The electricaldocking station of claim 1, wherein the generator connection compartmentand the utility connection compartment are positioned side by side inthe cabinet.
 3. The electrical docking station of claim 1, wherein thetransfer switch is housed in the cabinet.
 4. The electrical dockingstation of claim 3, wherein the cabinet includes a main section and alower section, the main section housing the transfer switch, and thegenerator connection compartment and the utility connection compartmentbeing in the lower section.
 5. The electrical docking station of claim1, wherein: the generator interface includes one or more connectionreceptacles, each connection receptacle being configured to receive aconnector and cable from the generator, the generator connectioncompartment includes a bottom surface with one or more cable slots, eachcable slot having a width that allows the cable to pass through thecable slot but prevents the connector from passing through the cableslot, and the generator interface is positioned at an angle that isnon-perpendicular with a back side of the cabinet.
 6. The electricaldocking station of claim 1, further comprising: (d) anelectro-mechanical locking mechanism configured to lock the door if thebuilding electrical system and the generator interface are electricallyconnected through the transfer switch and the door is in the closedposition.
 7. The electrical docking station of claim 6, furthercomprising: (e) a power supply electrically connected between thegenerator interface and the electro-mechanical locking mechanism, thepower supply being configured to convert high-voltage AC input powerfrom the generator interface to DC output power and to send convertedgenerator power to the electro-mechanical locking mechanism.
 8. Theelectrical docking station of claim 1, wherein the alert comprises anaudible signal.
 9. The electrical docking station of claim 1, whereinthe alert comprises a visual signal.
 10. The electrical docking stationof claim 1, wherein the alert comprises an audible signal and a visualsignal.
 11. An electrical docking station, comprising: (a) a cabinetthat includes a generator connection compartment and a utilityconnection compartment, the generator connection compartment including adoor movable between an open position and a closed position, the utilityconnection compartment being configured to house utility wires; (b) agenerator interface housed in the generator connection compartment andconfigured to be electrically connected to a generator and to a transferswitch, the transfer switch being electrically connected to the utilitywires and to a building electrical system, the transfer switch beingconfigured to switch between electrically connecting the buildingelectrical system to the generator interface and electrically connectingthe building electrical system to the utility wires; and (c) anelectro-mechanical locking mechanism electrically connected to thegenerator interface and configured to lock the door to the generatorconnection compartment if the building electrical system and thegenerator interface are electrically connected through the transferswitch and the door is in the closed position.
 12. The electricaldocking station of claim 11, wherein the generator connectioncompartment and the utility connection compartment are positioned sideby side in the cabinet.
 13. The electrical docking station of claim 11,wherein the cabinet includes a main section and a lower section, thegenerator connection compartment and the utility connection compartmentbeing in the lower section.
 14. The electrical docking station of claim11, wherein: the generator interface includes one or more connectionreceptacles, each connection receptacle being configured to receive aconnector and cable from the generator, the generator connectioncompartment includes a bottom surface with one or more cable slots, eachcable slot having a width that allows the cable to pass through thecable slot but prevents the connector from passing through the cableslot, and the generator interface is positioned at an angle that isnon-perpendicular with a back side of the cabinet.
 15. The electricaldocking station of claim 11, further comprising: (d) a power supplyelectrically connected between the generator interface and theelectro-mechanical locking mechanism, the power supply being configuredto convert high-voltage AC input power from the generator interface toDC output power and to send converted generator power to theelectro-mechanical locking mechanism.
 16. The electrical docking stationof claim 11, further comprising: (d) an alarm connected to the cabinetand configured to provide an alert if the building electrical system andthe generator interface are electrically connected through the transferswitch and the door to the generator connection compartment is in theopen position.
 17. The electrical docking station of claim 16, whereinthe alert comprises an audible signal, a visual signal, or both.
 18. Amethod, comprising: (a) providing an electrical docking station thatcomprises: (i) a cabinet that includes a generator connectioncompartment and a utility connection compartment, the generatorconnection compartment including a door movable between an open positionand a closed position, the utility connection compartment housingutility wires, (ii) a generator interface housed in the generatorconnection compartment and electrically connected to a generator and toa transfer switch, the transfer switch being electrically connected tothe utility wires and to a building electrical system, and (iii) anelectro-mechanical locking mechanism electrically connected to thegenerator interface; (b) switching, with the transfer switch, (i) fromelectrically connecting the building electrical system to the utilitywires (ii) to electrically connecting the building electrical system tothe generator interface; and (c) locking, with the electro-mechanicallocking mechanism, the door to the generator connection compartment whenthe building electrical system and the generator interface areelectrically connected through the transfer switch and the door is inthe closed position.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: (d)switching, with the transfer switch, (i) from electrically connectingthe building electrical system to the generator interface (ii) toelectrically connecting the building electrical system to the utilitywires; and (e) unlocking, with the electro-mechanical locking mechanism,the door to the generator connection compartment when the buildingelectrical system and the utility wires are electrically connectedthrough the transfer switch.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein step(b) comprises automatically switching upon detection that no power iscoming from the utility wires.
 21. The method of claim 20, furthercomprising: (d) automatically switching, with the transfer switch, upondetection that power is coming from the utility wires, (i) fromelectrically connecting the building electrical system to the generatorinterface (ii) to electrically connecting the building electrical systemto the utility wires.
 22. The method of claim 18, further comprising:(d) connecting a load bank to the generator interface; and (e) applyingan ancillary load with the load bank.
 23. The method of claim 18,wherein the electrical docking station further comprises: (v) a powersupply electrically connected between the generator interface and theelectro-mechanical locking mechanism, the power supply convertinghigh-voltage AC input power from the generator interface to DC outputpower and sending converted generator power to the electro-mechanicallocking mechanism.
 24. The method of claim 18, further comprising: (d)providing an alert if the building electrical system and the generatorinterface are electrically connected through the transfer switch and thedoor to the generator connection compartment is in the open position.25. The method of claim 24, wherein the alert comprises an audiblesignal, a visual signal, or both.